Gun control is one of those topics I’ve been largely trying to avoid writing about. It is one of those things that nobody can seem to agree on, but about which everyone has a strong opinion.

What changed my mind on the subject was the denial of the recent bill which would have expanded background checks to all gun buyers. The denial had me scratching my head and wondering why? Why not pass a bill that 90 percent of America supported?

The only answer given was this: some Senators were worried that by passing the bill, they would be working toward a national gun registry.

If this new bill would have been about creating a national gun registry, I too would have been opposed to it. If it would have been about taking away guns from legally armed citizens, I would have been opposed to it. As it was neither of those things, I don’t understand the reasoning.

I am happy to say that US Senators Franken and Klobuchar supported the expansion of background checks – so that individuals buying from a private party would have to undergo the same background check that they would purchasing from a licensed dealer.

This wasn’t a second amendment issue – no one was trying to take guns from legally wielding citizens. And, the bill may not have prevented tragedies like the Newtown shooting from taking place – but it would have made it more difficult for people who shouldn’t have guns (people who make legal and law abiding gun owners look bad) to purchase a weapon.

It would appear that the do-nothing congress has continued to do nothing after an election season that was full of bickering and negative campaigning. When a bill with 90 percent approval from the general public gets shot down, questions have to be asked of our elected officials and of ourselves.

We have the power to change America through our ability to vote – not just during presidential elections, but during midterm elections as well. We need candidates who look out for the people they represent, rather than the party they represent. As it stands, the politicians we have elected recently have not done us any favors. This being the latest example of lobbyists getting their way while the general public is ignored.